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PEORIA, IL – Caterpillar Inc. today announced that the company has made an equity investment in Fluidic Energy as part of an agreement to develop advanced energy storage solutions for emerging markets.

The companies will collaborate on the development of high-volume, low total-energy-cost solutions that use rechargeable metal-air technology managed by integrated controls intelligence for telecommunications and other microgrid applications where power from the utility grid is unreliable.

Metal-air energy storage technology developed by Fluidic Energy enables extended runtimes, offers a modular architecture for scalability, delivers long-life performance in an environmentally friendly package, and supports remote monitoring for real-time site visibility, battery control and monitoring, and uptime analysis.

Fluidic Energy has installed more than 35,000 energy storage cells delivering load-shifting benefits in over 550,000 real-world cycles at commercial customer locations globally since 2012. Jointly developed energy storage solutions from Caterpillar and Fluidic Energy will be available through the Cat® dealer network later this year.

“Rechargeable metal-air solutions will consistently store energy at the lowest cost, and Fluidic Energy is the only company in the market that has successfully commercialized this disruptive technology for energy-storage systems,” said Steve Niehaus, Caterpillar vice president with responsibility for the Electric Power Division. “The solutions we develop with Fluidic’s management team and industry-leading research and development resources will offer a powerful complement to our comprehensive suite of distributed generation solutions that supply power stability for emerging economies.”

“Energy storage solutions that utilize our proprietary, rechargeable metal-air technology are gaining increased traction in the market, and they will continue to proliferate with the support of a knowledgeable, global team experienced in configuring and supporting specialized solutions at the customer level,” said Chuck Ensign, chief executive officer for Fluidic Energy. “Caterpillar offers an unrivaled ability to help us fully realize the potential of these solutions through its robust suite of power solutions, a proven track record in the telecommunications industry, and experienced sales and service resources deployed at the dealer level around the world.”

Caterpillar is a leader in the power generation marketplace with power systems engineered to deliver unmatched durability, reliability and value. The company offers worldwide product support, with parts and service available globally through the Cat authorized service and dealer network. In addition, dealer service technicians are trained to service every aspect of Cat equipment.

Fluidic Energy is an energy storage solution company that is enabled by groundbreaking battery technology and integrated smart-grid intelligence. Formed in 2006, Fluidic is the first company to develop and commercialize a high-cycle life rechargeable zinc-air battery. This breakthrough clean technology supplies advantages over traditional batteries by offering longer life, higher ambient temperature operating range, deeper depth of discharge and lower total cost of ownership. Since introducing this energy storage system to the telecommunications industry in 2012, Fluidic Energy has installed over 35,000 batteries providing customers significant power availability and service-level improvements over the past three years. In addition, Fluidic is the first company to integrate smart controls and intelligence on each cell, providing unparalleled intelligence through remote monitoring, control and diagnostics of the complete system. Visit fluidicenergy.com

About Caterpillar

For nearly 90 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been making sustainable progress possible and driving positive change on every continent. Customers turn to Caterpillar to help them develop infrastructure, energy and natural resource assets. With 2014 sales and revenues of $55.2 billion, Caterpillar is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. The company principally operates through its three product segments - Resource Industries, Construction Industries and Power Systems - and also provides financing and related services through its Financial Products segment. For more information, visit caterpillar.com. To connect with us on social media, visit caterpillar.com/social-media.